Remembering Judy Pace: A Trailblazing Actress and Philanthropist
Judy Pace, a renowned model and actress famous for her roles in Blaxploitation films from the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 83. Her daughters, Shawn and Julia Pace Mitchell, shared the news that she peacefully passed away in her sleep while visiting family in Marina Del Rey.
Born in Los Angeles on June 15, 1942, Judy Pace began her career as a model and became the youngest model for Ebony Fashion Fair in 1961. She made her onscreen debut in the 1963 film "13 Frightened Girls" and was the first Black woman to be contracted at Columbia Studios. Throughout the 1960s, she appeared in various TV shows such as I Spy, Batman, Bewitched, and The Mod Squad.
During her time on the show "The Young Lawyers" from 1969 to 1971, Judy Pace won an NAACP Image Award for Best Actress for her role as Pat Walters. In the 1970s, she starred in several Blaxploitation films like "Cotton Comes to Harlem" and "The Slams," as well as portraying the wife of football legend Gale Sayers in "Brian's Song."
Aside from her acting career, Judy Pace was a philanthropist who co-founded the Kwanza Foundation in 1971 with Nichelle Nichols. The foundation supported Black women in the film industry and provided scholarships to minority students pursuing careers in the arts.
Judy Pace is survived by her daughters, Shawn Pace Mitchell and Julia Pace Mitchell, her grandson Stephen Lamar Hightower III, her son-in-law Otto Strong, and other beloved family members and friends. The family has requested that donations be made in Judy Pace's honor to the NAACP.
In conclusion, Judy Pace's legacy as a trailblazing actress and dedicated philanthropist will be remembered by many. Her contributions to the entertainment industry and her commitment to supporting minority communities leave a lasting impact on those she touched throughout her life.